Musical Notes CELEBRATING CANDLEMAS Mozart composed his choral work known as the "Solemn Vespers" in 1780 for liturgical use at the Salzburg Cathedral in Austria, where he was the organist. The 5th movement of this work, "Laudate Dominum", is a soprano solo version of Psalm 117. The choir joins the soloist at the end of the psalm with the "Gloria Patri". The singers are supported by a small ensemble of strings and organ. Bach composed the solo cantata “Ich habe genug” for a service in the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany on Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany February 2, 1727 to celebrate the Feast of the Purification of Mary, also known as Candlemas. This celebration closes the Christmas season and occurs four Sundays after Epiphany, generally on or around February 2. The cantata is for a bass singer with a solo oboe, strings, and organ. In the opening aria, which we will perform on Sunday, February 4, the text expresses contentment and serenity even as it anticipates death. Even the music expresses contentment and joy. Listening carefully to the text may surprise the listener... Death is portrayed in an unusually comforting manner. The anonymous libretto is not from the Bible, though the text is similar to the words of Simeon found in Luke chapter 2. At his very old age, Simeon goes to the temple and gets to hold the infant Jesus. This event fills him with such gratitude, hope, Simeon Presenting and joy that he gently accepts his nearing death and is even looking Christ in the Temple by Jan van Bijlert or Bylert forward to it. I have enough; I have taken the Savior, the hope of the (1603-71) Gentiles, into my yearning arms. I have enough; I have seen him, my faith has held Jesus to my heart; now I desire but even today to depart with joy from here. I have enough! Join us on Sunday, February 4th, 10:30am as we celebrate in word, prayer, music, and song, The Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple - Candlemas. Trinity, there is a place for you.
Dan Dan Miller Director of Music Ministries & Organist,